Transition of Universal Design in Japan's Construction Industry

Abstract

We researched the changes in laws, private-sector practice, and education for human resource development related to universal design (UD) in Japan and identified future challenges. UD development began in 1980 with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry’s new housing project to define housing performance enabling lifelong living and to develop non-specialized equipment, systems, and construction methods. The 1994 Building Access Act was Japan’s first law based on UD. From 1987–1992, the Ministry of Construction’s technology project produced ergonomic research and a draft of housing design guidelines for an aging society, altering standard housing design. After the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, barrier-free design was adopted in temporary disaster housing, accelerating UD adoption in equipment and private homes. A 2022 survey found 25 of 47 prefectures had UD guidelines, reflecting changing local government attitudes. A questionnaire of 22 private construction firms yielded 11 responses showing activities such as publishing research results and educational materials; some firms treat UD as a default specification. However, many municipalities and firms have discontinued staff training, despite the need for continuous “see, know, experience” education. To the efforts of private companies and organizations, as well as the enforcements of laws and regulations, UD has made progress in both construction and use, but there will be some issues in the future: advancing UD-related law beyond promotion, addressing overlooked users and situations since UD’s introduction, to new issues which were not recognized when UD was introduced to Japan will be necessary to adopt about new approaches.

Keywords: Universal Design, Building Planning Laws And Standards, UD Education, Human Resource Development

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1008022